Rusty Goulet, a Mechanic Falls student, served as a page in the House of Representatives recently. From the left are Rep. Terry Hayes, District 80; Goulet; and Rep. Jim Hamper, District 100.

Mechanic Falls pupil serves as House page

AUGUSTA – Rusty Goulet, eighth-grader from Mechanic Falls, was asked to be a page at the State House on May 17. As a page for the House of Representatives, he was asked to deliver messages and notes to and from representatives in attendance that day.

“This is really cool,” said Goulet about his assignment. “They don’t let us pass notes at school, but here they do it all the time.”

He said, “I also got to stand up front and bang the gavel … really hard. I think I’ll make one when I get home.”

Rep. Terry Hayes thought it would be a great experience for Goulet and the other state representatives to have him serve as a page. “Rusty is a 14-year-old child with autism. With support from his family and teachers at Elm Street School, he has excelled socially and academically,” said Hayes.

Rep. Jim Hamper also welcomed Goulet to the State House. “He did a great job as a page,” said Hamper. “His enthusiasm and creative style had everyone smiling.”

Goulet toured much of the State House before the session, then toured the underground tunnel and Legislative Building. “It was a great day for all of us,” said his parents, Sue and Lou Goulet.